NRT Contributor Kevin Davis continues his devotional series by speaking with Michael Gungor on his worship song, "Beautiful Things."

Formerly known as The Michael Gungor Band, the socially active, Denver-based foursome is comprised of Michael Gungor, his wife Lisa, as well as friends Brad Waller (guitar) and Josh Harvey (bass). Gungor hits the scene with a different perspective than most bands as the lead singer is perhaps best known for co-writing distinguished songs like “Friend of God” and “Say So,” made famous by Israel Houghton.

The music is not the only impressive thing about Gungor, as likewise the band is also incredibly involved in missions both in their hometown and abroad. Michael and his wife moved to Denver and eventually founded a community of believers called Bloom. The connection between worship and social justice became concrete in Denver with regular involvement with the homeless & needy of that area, and the outcome is evident on Beautiful Things.

This bigger story of God shows up on Beautiful Things in songs born of an honest journey of faith and a struggle with what should result from worship.

“If leading worship is just about bringing a group of people into a room so we can get goose bumps and sing songs together, there’s not much value in that," explains Michael Gungor. "But if leading worship is a means to an end, that we leave this place as a different kind of people, as part of a new humanity that God wants to create--the people that are caring for the widows and orphans, that aren’t bound by the systems of this world but becoming free, becoming fully engaged in our world--then that matters.”

I got the chance to interview Michael Gungor about “Beautiful Things.” You can listen to our entire interview here.

Please share the message of the song “Beautiful Things.”

My wife Lisa and I wrote the song together based on experiences at our local church. We were seeing our friends going through suffering and pain. This song is an expression of hope that God will make beautiful things out of the dust in our lives, and God will somehow use us, use our obedience and love, our feeble human effort, and build Himself a kingdom. I see that God is using suffering to bring us closer to Him.

Please tell me about the Bible verses you used to write the song.

Isaiah 2:4:He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.

Revelation 21:4-5:And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

How can listeners apply that message in their walks as Christians when they listen to the song?

The story of God has gotten bigger to us. We had become ‘professional’ Christians. We got to the point where we needed to figure out how to be the church in a more honest way. There is something to me about worship where we can have a more proper perspective about things. It is easy to get caught up in our daily circumstances, and we need to know that one day all of the angst and suffering we have now will be “made new.” God is present even in our difficulties. If we lift our eyes up to God, we can have the hope that He has promised in His Word. He is the source of our strength and hope.

All this pain
I wonder if I’ll even find my way
I wonder if my life could really change at all
All this earth
Could all that is lost ever be found
Could a garden come up from this ground at all

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

All around
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos life is being found in You

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

You make me new, You are making me new
You make me new, You are making me new

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

If you are looking for a fresh new worship song to sing at your church, I highly recommend “Beautiful Things.” The message is contemplative and worshipful and includes God’s promise to us in Revelation: “Behold, I make all things new.”

As we look at the fallen world around us, we all need to lift our eyes up to God and put all of our faith and hope in Him. For the saved In Christ, one day “God will wipe away every tear, there will be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.”

As believers, we all need to live for Heaven and not get depressed or angry about our fallen world. Pain and suffering point us to God and how much we need Him.

Kevin Davis is a long time fan of Christian music, an avid music collector and credits the message of Christian music for leading him to Christ. Kevin also writes reviews for ChristianMusicReview.org. He currently lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and three daughters.